It’s high time we had a song that spoke to our seasonally-charged volatility and emotional disruption, and in “Mermaid Blues (V1),” Brooklyn indie rock band LAPêCHE open up with raw verve and radiant vulnerability.
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Stream: “Mermaid Blues” (Version 1) – LAPêCHE
The wait, the weight of seasons, weeding out the weaker ones…
Winter feels worlds away from our perch here in June – as of this writing, the summer solstice is only eight days away – but the cold, dark season has a way of sneaking up on us faster than we think. Cherish the hot and sunny weather while it lasts, because with the end of summer comes the beginning of the fall – literally and emotionally. As much as we try to prepare for it or prevent it, seasonal affective disorder can and does hit hard – and while LAPêCHE aren’t offering any cures, they’ve got a new stunning antidote to tide us over for five minutes apiece. It’s high time we had a song that spoke to our seasonally-charged volatility and emotional disruption, and in “Mermaid Blues (V1),” LAPêCHE open up with raw verve and radiant vulnerability.
A soaring, sweltering indie rock fever dream in its own right, “Mermaid Blues (V1)” is an anthem for all who suffer anxiety and depression, especially as a result of the colder, darker months.
Summer came and let the light in
Now it’s done, capture the glow
Quiet not to wake our boredom
The wait, the weight of seasons
Weeding out the weaker ones
There’s no binding bird song
Just a sleeping garden
The comfort the veil of spring
brings shines the shoes
Pales the dark, levels the land
And produces honey
We shed our coats
We watch the fickle moon bloom
Released March 1, 2023, “Mermaid Blues (V1)” is a captivating look not only at LAPêCHE’s talents as a fast-rising Brooklyn band, but also at the songwriting process and a song’s growth over time.
The “original” version of their 2022 standalone single “Mermaid Blues” (released July 29, 2022 via New Granada Records) is longer, slightly looser, and has a completely different chorus than its successor. Both are definitively great tracks in their own right, but there’s something grungy and gritty about “V1” that gives it an utterly intoxicating allure; as if the slightly unkempt nature of this “original” version, pre-polished but still just as catchy as its final cut, makes it feel more human, visceral, and vulnerable.
There’s a raw intensity to vocalist Krista Holly Diem’s performance as she pours her heart out in the track’s churning chorus:
The wait, the weight of seasons
Weeding out the weaker ones
There’s no binding bird song
Just a sleeping garden
For LAPêCHE, who have released other “V1” alternate tracks before, this release serves as a deeper insight into their own inner workings as a band. It’s certainly a gift to hardcore fans focused on the minutiae, but it’s also an unapologetic dive into Diem’s own emotional state around wintertime.
“I’ve always had to navigate depression as an adult, but during the winter I need to do some extra work to be well,” Diem explains. “If I am not truly practicing self-care, life can feel a bit dangerous. This song is some medicine for me.”
Summer came and let the light in
Now it’s done
We shed our coats
We watch the fickle moon bloom
Comprised of Diem, her husband and bassist Dave Diem, guitarist Drew Demaio, and drummer Jeff Gensterblum, LAPêCHE are without a doubt a band worth paying close attention to over the months to come. They released their debut album Blood in the Water in 2021 to considerable acclaim, and are currently in “the later stages” of finishing up their sophomore LP, working with Grammy-nominated producer and engineer Alex Newport (City & Colour, Death Cab For Cutie, At The Drive-In).
Ultimately, we can appreciate “Mermaid Blues (V1)” as a striking seasonal affective soundtrack, as well as something to hold us over until LAPêCHE’s sophomore album cycle kicks into gear hopefully later this year. Either way, this song hits hard, and while it sounds great today as we head into the “peak” summer season, it promises to mean even more to us when the sun is setting before 5 PM and the temperature barely crests 40° Fahrenheit.
The wait, the weight of seasons
Weeding out the weaker ones
There’s no binding bird song
Just a sleeping garden
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Stream: “Mermaid Blues” (Version 1) – LAPêCHE
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